Modular flexible conveyor
US5595283A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 10, 1995 |
| Grant date | Jan 21, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 10, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65G13/07
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A modularly constructed, flexible, expandable conveyor comprises a pair of flexible, expandable X-shaped link assemblies, preferably in the form of a plurality of links pivotally connected to each other in order to form an X-shaped chain. Each X-shaped chain terminates in an end plate having mating bolt holes therein so that successive chains may be joined by passing bolts through the mating bolt holes in overlapped end plates. Then, knurled hand knobs are turned onto the bolts to clamp together the overlapped end plates. The end plates enable the X-shaped chain in any given module to expand or collapse independently of the X-shaped chains in other modules. The conveyor surface preferably includes a field of skate wheels mounted on rods extending between the link assemblies, at spaced locations along the length of the conveyor. The conveyor is sufficiently flexible to be able to form a curved conveyor surface.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.